The Equalizer 3: 7 films that scream vengeance like the Denzel Washington action thriller

Academy Award-winner Denzel Washington is set to reprise his role as Robert McCall in the third instalment of the action thriller franchise The Equalizer. The Antoine Fuqua film will tell the story of a retired Robert McCall, who has left his former life as a vigilante behind and resigned  to a quaint hamlet in Italy. However, he soon realises that his newly-acquired friends are forced to pledge allegiance to the mafia which dominates their very existence. Unsurprisingly, McCall taps into the particular skills that he had honed over the years to exact vengeance against those who have wronged his friends. Lead star Washington reunites with Dakota Fanning, nearly 19 years after starring together in Man on Fire in this film. Fans of the franchise don’t need to be told what to expect from this film that promises sweet revenge. But for this episode of List Hai Toh Hit Hai, we have narrowed down eight must-watch action thrillers that pivot around the theme of vengeance that pack the same action-packed sequences and thrilling turns.

Man on Fire (2004)

Denzel Washington won’t be surprised to know that Man on Fire is the first film on this list. The 2004 action thriller directed by Tony Scott received less than favourable reviews when it released but went on to become a cult classic earning more than $123 million in DVD and VHS sales in the US alone. Denzel Washington essays the role of a burnt-out ex-CIA  operative John Creasy. He gets a new lease on life when he is hired as a bodyguard to protect a nine-year-old Pita Ramos, played by Dakota Fanning, the daughter of a prominent businessman. However, when Pita is kidnapped, John unleashes his wrath upon the kidnappers – and this results in a rescue mission fuelled by unbridled violence.

Unforgiven (1992)

A list about revenge and retribution would be incomplete without a few Western classics. The 1992 revenge thriller, Unforgiven, stars the legendary Clint Eastwood in the lead, with Eastwood also serving as the film’s director. Set in late 19th century Wyoming, Eastwood essays the role of a retired gunslinger who is forced to return from retirement for one last mission. He joins forces with his old partner Ned Logan and a young man referred to as ‘The Schofield Kid’ as they seek vengeance on behalf of a group of sex workers, whose friend was physically assaulted and disfigured by a band of outlaws. Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman play pivotal roles in the film, with the former winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The film also won three more Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, and is widely regarded as one of the most compelling Westerns to be ever made.

V for Vendetta (2006)

DC films may not be enjoying their most successful run recently, but some of the most mature films have been adapted from DC Comics over the years. Based on the DC Vertigo Imprint graphic novel of the same name, V for Vendetta, is set in a dystopian Britain. A mysterious masked freedom fighter, who goes by V, employs anarchy and violence to bring down the corrupt government with the help of a woman named Evey Hammond. Hugo Weaving and Natalie Portman essay the lead roles, while Stephen Rea, John Hurt, and Stephen Fry among others play other prominent roles. The film is helmed by James McTeigue and was praised for its stunning visuals and thought-provoking narrative.

True Grit (2010)

The 2010 Coen Brothers Western, True Grit,  is based on the 1968 eponymous novel by Charles Portis. The film tells the story of a 14-year-old girl Mattie Ross, played by Hailee Steinfeld, who is on a quest to exact vengeance against an outlaw who murdered her father. She enlists the help of Deputy U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn, played by Jeff Bridges, and a Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf played by Matt Damon. They embark on an adventure to track down the notorious Tom Chaney, played by Josh Brolin, and the trio’s mettle is tested on numerous occasions as they encounter several hurdles in their pursuit. The film was praised for its storytelling, cinematography, and captivating performances by its lead stars, and it earned 10 nominations at the Academy Awards. The story was previously adapted into a film in 1969 starring John Wayne, Kim Darby, and Glen Campbell.

Oldboy (2003)

Widely regarded as one of the greatest Korean films of all time, Oldboy is a tale of revenge that is unlike any other film in the thriller genre. Directed by Park Chan-wook, the plot tells the story of a man who seeks revenge against those who imprisoned him for nearly 15 years without explanation. He resorts to brutal violence on his quest to discover the truth behind his mysterious captors. Old Boy features groundbreaking fight sequences such as the iconic single-shot hallway fight scene, which has since inspired films and TV shows such as Daredevil, Kick-Ass, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and Inception. The film is loosely based on a Japanese manga series, and it has spawned several official and unofficial remakes. The Bollywood film Zinda is reportedly an unofficial remake while the critically panned 2013 Spike Lee film is the official Hollywood remake.

Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

The third Western to make it into this list is an all-time classic, and it’s the 1968 classic from the legendary Western filmmaker Sergio Leone. Starring Claudia Cardinale, Henry Fonda, Jason Robards, and Charles Bronson in lead roles, the plot revolves around a recently-widowed young woman who enlists the help of a mystery man with a harmonica and an outlaw to save her farm and herself from a notorious rancher. The film was met with a lukewarm reception by critics when it premiered in 1968 but has since gained a cult following and several renowned filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, Quentin Tarantino, and Vince Gilligan have admittedly cited the film as a major influence on their filmography.

Promising Young Woman (2020)

The underrated 2020 film Promising Young Woman, directed by Emerald Fennell on her feature film debut, is an underrated revenge thriller. It leans on several genres and themes such as feminism, black comedy, crime drama, and vigilantism to tell a compelling tale about a woman seeking vengeance against those who raped her best friend. The film relies on striking visuals and contrasting filmmaking aesthetics to deliver an unsettling tale told from the perspective of its lead character Cassandra, played by the accomplished Carey Mulligan. The narrative also questions society’s role in protecting a system that enables sexual violence. The film features an ensemble cast of Bo Burnham, Alison Brie, Clancy Brown, Chris Lowell, and Jennifer Coolidge among others.

Well that's all we got for today's episode, until the next one it's your host Nikhil signing out.

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written by Ryan Gomez

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